Safety cap for neon sign housings and transformers



April 27, 1965 P. cs. FEDORICK 3,181,103

SAFETY CAP FOR NEON SIGN HOUSINGS AND TRANSFORMERS Filed June 23, 1964 United States Patent 3131 103 sararr can soaivabrs sroN Hoosiers AND 'IRANSFURMERFB Peter G. Fedorich, Ruskin Ave, Toronto, Gntario, anada Filed Blane 23, 1954, Ser. No. 377,421 7 Claims. (Q. 339-5fl) This invention relates to improvements in means for protecting and insulating high tension electrical connections on illuminated sign displays.

It is common practice to utilize comparatively high voltage in the region of 15,000 volts for illuminating signs such as for instance neon tube signs. Normally the sign structure is provided with a plurality of glass insulators secured to the surface into which the ends of the individual neon tubes are inserted thereby to be held and provided with necessary electrical connections. A small rubber cap over the open end of the glass insulator is sometimes used in order to prevent rain and dirt from entering.

in practice a serious difficulty with conventional insulating means is found since very often moisture accumulates within the glass insulator and causes a short which burns out the transformer supplying the high tension current. In addition the paint normally used for painting the sign surface and for painting the projecting ends of the neon tubes, tends to provide a path for the high tension current which further increased the likelihood of a short and the burning out of a transformer.

By resort to the present invention however means are provided whereby the resistant path for the high tension current is increased and the entry of moisture into the glass insulator is prevented.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a protective cap for neon displays having a tight fitting flexible end and whereby the end of the neon tubes are sealed off thus preventing the entry of moisture into these glass insulators.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a protective cap which may be made in one shape yet be utilized in a variety of applications on a neon tube sign system in order that all of the high tension connections may be insulated and sealed off from moisture thus preventing shorts in any portions of the high tension circuit. The cap may be made in a variety of sizes as required.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a protective cap that may be utilized both at front and rear ends of a glass insulator, simply by snipping one tapered end ed the cap to suit the particular size of neon tube that this cap will service.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a protective cap which by extending out and covering the connecting portion of the neon tubes eliminates the necessity for painting out the unwanted portion at tne end of the tube.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a-protective cap which is adapted to be sealed against the surface of the sign thus aiding in securing the raft insulator portion of the connection onto the sign surface.

it is yet another object of the present invention to pro vide a protective cap for neon tube displays which upon being installed in a place provides convenient masking means for the electrode connection, whereby the sign can be spray painted without the danger of the paint being blown into the electrode connection. This is of particular importance where lead base paints are used in painting the sign surface.

it is a still further object of the present invention to provide a protective cap for illuminated neon tube signs "ice wherein the cap can be pre-coloured thereby to provide matching colours for the sign and present a pleasing appearance.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a section through a presently preferred embodiment of the invention;

FlG. 2 is a section along the line 22 of FIG. 1 with protective cap and neon tube removed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a sign showing one use of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a transformer showing electrical connection thereon provided with insulating caps.

With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 a typical neon tube electrode connection is illustrated and indicated generally as 111. The connection comprises a mounting board 12 onto which the glass insulator 13 is inserted through a hole therein.

The glass insulator 13 is provided with the exterior annular flange l4 and an interior flange 15. It is intended that the outer annular flange M be somewhat larger in diameter than the hole through the sign support 12 thus to provide a mounting surface for the insulator 13. It i preferable to provide an indexing protrusion 16 on outer flange 14 whereby the insulator 13 can be installed in the exact location each time.

An exterior cap Ki of elastic material is provided which fits over the open end of the insulator 13 and is adapted to frictionally engage the end 18 of the neon tube 19. The neon tube 19 is held by the spring 2% in a conventional manner, the cap 17 aiding in supporting the tube 19 but mainly acting to prevent the entry of moisture and dirt into the electrode connection provided by the insulator 13. The cap it? is provided with the mounting flange 21 which fits tightly against the exterior surface of the sign support 12 and can be secured thereto by means of adhesive or the like if required. An annular bead 22 is provided with the inner surface of the cap 17 and is adapted to frictionally engage the ridge 23 on the insulator 13 thereby to aid in securing the cap 17. A drain hole is punched in the bottom of the cap 17 in order that moisture which may tend to collect due to condensation can be drained and also to allow the expansion of air due to heat from the tube 19. e

As shown in FIG. 2 an'indentation 25 is provided on the annular flange 23 and a matching protrusion is provided on the cap 17 in the area of the bead 22, whereby the cap 17 can be installed in one position only, thus to ensure that the hole 24 is located on the underside at all times. In this way the danger of having the hole facing upwardly and allowing the entry of rain is overcome.

Cap 26 and cap 17 are identical, tapered end 26a being supplied with a small hole 26b to suit a conventional wire 27, end 26a being snipped ofi upon cap 26 being utilized as cap 17, thereby providing an enlarged hole 17:: adapted to provide a snug fit on tube 19.

Internal cap 26 is utilized on the inner end of the 1 insulator 13 and is adapted to frictionally engage the insulated wire 27 thereby to seal this from the entry of 7 position and serves a similar purpose as the hole 24. In

this connection it should be noted that by having the two holes 29 and 24 located at opposite ends of the insulator 13, a draught can be created through the assembly 11 thereby to provide cooling means in the case where this is required in order to dissipate heat due to temperature generated by the tube 19.

A similar indexing system for the cap 26 can be provided by providing an inward projection at whereby the cap 26 can be indexed to have the hole 29 at the bottom at all times. It should be noted also that other means for providing indexing can be utilized such as for-instance by providing a key way through all of the members of the assembly or other such means as may be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In use it will be seen that a number of such assemblies 11 can be provided on a sign and the cap 26 and 17 can be utilized to seal both ends of the high tension connection whereby the entry of dirt and moisture is prevented. In

this way it is ensured that shorts in the. high tension circuit will not occur and a longer life for a particular high tension transformer can be realized.

I With reference to FIG. 3 one method of utilizing the invention is shown wherein a plurality of connectors as indicated at 11 are shown wherein the outer caps 17 completely cover the mounting end of the tube 31 in order to provide a weatherproof and watertight seal about the glass tube. It will be seen that since the exterior cap 17 completely covers the inwardly turned end of the tube it is not necessary to have the tube painted, in order to black out the unwanted portion of the tube.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a protective cap which while preventing short circuits by eliminating the entry of water into the high tension connection does also provide a neat connection for the ends of the neon tubes. By providing such an arrangement of caps the entire appearance of the sign is improved. Also it will be seen that the caps when installed provide a masking meansfor the open end of the glass insulators whereby the sign can be merely spray painted without the necessity of having to mask off these open ends.

-It will be further understood that such caps'can also be utilized at other high tension connections in the system such as for instance over the end of the high tension transformer. These caps would be provided with matching flanges in order that they could be secured to the transformercasing. Also it will be seen that a similar annular flange on the end of the transformer connection could be provided as is provided on the glass insulator whereby the particular cap for the transformer could better be secured thereto.

With referenceto FIG. 4 a typical installation for a high tension transformer is illustrated wherein a transformer 32 is shown provided with the caps 33, 34 and 35.

The high tension secondary leads 36 and 37 as well as primary leads 38 and 39 are thus'completely insulated against the entry ofwater and other foreign matter. In addition to providing protection for the transformer against short circuits the cap also prevents inexperienced persons frominadvertently touching the bare leads which in many cases carry a voltage in excessof 15,000 volts, this occurrence being lethal. It will be understood that other connections in the system may similarly be protected in order to prevent inadvertent shock from the high voltage system.

It will be also understood that while specific embodiments of the invention have herein been described and illustrated, the invention also contemplates such variations as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

' What'is claimed is:

1. A high tension electrical connection for neon lighting systems, wherein a plurality of neon tubes are removably secured to a signsupport surface to be energised by high tension wiring said connection comprising: a hollow glass. insulator including an electrode connection therein, said insulatorbeing provided with an inner annular flange and an outer annular flange on the outer sur face thereof, these flanges being adapted to be located to either side of said sign support upon said insulator being inserted Within said support surface; an exterior cap of flexible material removably secured to the outer end of said insulator about said outer annular flange, said cap fitting tightly about the end of said neon tube, thereby to exclude moisture; an interior cap of flexible material removably secured to the inner end of saidinsulator about said inner annular flange, said cap fitting tightly about said wiring thereby to exclude moisture; lower portions on each said cap defining drain holes therethrough; and indexing means on each said caps and. said insulator thereby to locate same relative to said sign support surface to ensure the location of said holes.

2; A high tension electrical connection for neon lighting systems, wherein a plurality of neon tubes are remova-bly secured to a sign support surface to be energised by high tension wiring said connection comprising; a hollow glass insulator including an electrode connection therein,

said insulator being provided with an inner annular flange and an outer annular flange on the outer surface thereof,

these flanges being adapted to be located to either side of said sign support upon said insulator being inserted within said support surface; an exterior cap of flexible material removably secured to the outer end of said insulator about said outer annularflange, said cap fitting tightly about the end of said neon tube, thereby to exclude moisture; an interior cap of flexible material removably secured to the inner end of said insulator about said inner annular flange, said cap fitting tightly about said wiring thereby to exclude moistureyand a mounting flange on each said caps to be located adjacent said support surface, whereby said caps can be secured by gluing thereto.

3. A high tension electrical connection for neon lighting systems, wherein a plurality of neon tubes are removably secured to a sign support surface to be energised by high tension wiring said connection comprising; a hollow glass insulator including an electrode connection therein, said insulator being provided with an inner annular flange, and an outer annular flange on the outer surface thereof, these flanges being adapted to be located to either side of said sign support upon said insulator being inserted within said support surface; an exterior cap of flexible material removably secured to the outer end of said insulator about said outer annular flange, said cap fitting tightly about the end of said neon tube, thereby to exclude moisture; an interior cap of flexible material removably secured to the end of said insulator about said inner annular flange, said cap fitting tightly about said wiring thereby to exclude moisture; a mounting flange on each said caps to be located adjacent said support surface, whereby said caps can be secured by gluing thereto; lower portions on each said cap defining drain holes therethrough; andindexing means on each said caps and said insulator therebyto locate same relative to said sign support surface to ensure the location of said holes.

4. A high tension electrical connection for neon lighting systems, wherein a plurality of neon tubes are removably secured to a sign support surface to be energised by a high tension wiring, said connection comprising: a hollow' glass insulator including an electrode connection therein, said insulator being provided with an inner annular flange and an outer annular flange on the outer surface thereof these flanges being adapted to be located to either side of said sign support upon said insulator being inserted within said support surface; an exterior cap of flexible material removably secured to the outer end of said insulator about said outer annular flange, said cap fitting tightly about the end of said neon tube, thereby to exclude moisture, said cap having a length substantially equal to the length of the mounting end of said neon tube, thereby to coverfsame and increase the resistance to electricalshort; and an interior cap of flexible material removably secured to the inner end of said insulator about said inner annular flange, said cap fitting tightl about said wiring thereby to exclude moisture.

5. A high tension electrical connection for neon lighting systems wherein a plurality of neon tubes are removably secured to a sign support surface to be energised by high tension wiring said connection comprising: a hollow glass insulator including an electrode connection therein, said insulator being provided with an inner annular flange and an outer annular flange on the outer surface thereof these flanges adapted to be located to either side of said sign support upon said insulator being inserted within said support surface; an exterior cap of flexible material removably secured to the outer end of said insulator about said outer annular flange, said cap fitting tightly about the end of said neon tube, thereby to exclude moisture; and an interior cap of flexible material rernovably secured to the inner end of said insulator about said inner annular flange, said interior cap fitting tightly about said wiring thereby to exclude moisture, and said exterior cap having a length greater than largest radius of said insulator thereby to cover mounting end of said neon tube and increase the resistance to electrical short.

6. A high tension electrical connection for neon lighting systems, wherein a plurality of neon tubes are removably secured to a sign support surface to be energised by high tension wiring, said connection comprising: a hollow glass insulator including an electrode connection therein, said insulator being provided with an inner annular flange and outer annular flange on the outer surface thereof these flanges adapted to be located to either side ofsaid sign support upon said insulator being inserted within said support surface; an exterior cap of flexible material removably secured to the outer end of said insulator about said outer annular flange, said cap fitting tightly about the end of said neon tube thereby to exclude moisture, said cap having a length substantially equal to the length of the mounting end of said neon tube, thereby to cover same and increase the resistance to electrical short; an interior cap of flexible material removably secured to the inner end of said insulator about said inner annular flange, said cap fitting tightly about said wiring thereby to exclude moisture; a mounting flange on each said caps to be located adjacent said support surface,

whereby said caps can be secured by gluing thereto; lower portions on each said cap defining drain holes therethrough; and indexing means on each said caps and said insulator thereby to locate same relative to said sign support surface to ensure the location of said holes.

7. A high tension electrical connection for neon lighting systems, as claimed in claim 6 in which said exterior cap and said interior cap are of a truncated and substantially identical configuration, having a large and a small end said exterior cap being derived from said interior cap by cutting off a portion of small end of said truncated interior cap.

No references cited.

JOSEPH D. SEERS, Primary Examiner, 

4. A HIGH TENSION ELECTRICAL CONNECTION FOR NEON LIGHTING SYSTEMS, WHEREIN A PLURALITY OF NEON TUBES ARE REMOVABLY SECURED TO A SIGN SUPPORT SURFACE TO BE ENERGISED BY A HIGH TENSION WIRING, SAID CONNECTION COMPRISING: A HOLLOW GLASS INSULATOR INCLUDING AN ELECTRODE CONNECTION THEREIN, SAID INSULATOR BEING PROVIDED WITH AN INNER ANNULAR FLANGE AND AN OUTER ANNULAR FLANGE ON THE OUTER SURFACE THEREOF THESE FLANGES BEING ADAPTED TO BE LOCATED TO EITHER SIDE OF SAID SIGN SUPPORT UPON SAID INSULATOR BEING INSERTED WITHIN SAID SUPPORT SURFACE; AN EXTERIOR CAP OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL REMOVABLY SECURED TO THE OUTER END OF 